The small-ship and river cruise segments are growing fast, with many new vessels entering service this year. So it’s important for you to have the facts about these companies at hand. Here is our annotated list of small-ship and river cruise operators with ships that generally carry fewer than 500 passengers.

ABERCROMBIE & KENT

This is a tour operator offering an extensive line of river and small-ship cruises. The company features adventure cruises to the Arctic; Ecuador, Peru and the Galapagos; Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands; and sailing adventures in Japan. It also offers canal and river cruises in China, France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Germany, the Amazon and the Nile. A&K uses ships and river vessels from other companies. Call 800-554-7016 or visit www.abercrombiekent.com.

AMADEUS BY LüFTNER

New to the U.S. market, Amadeus by Lüftner Cruises features river cruises on the Danube, Rhine and Main, on Belgian and Dutch waterways, and across Europe. This veteran European river cruise company, founded 30 years ago, markets eight vessels to U.S. travelers. Its newest ships are the Amadeus Silver, which entered service in March 2013, and Amadeus Brilliant, launched in April 2011. Amadeus markets in the U.S. in partnership with Optriant, a division of Preferred Hotel Group. Call 888-829-1394 or visit www.amadeuscruises.com.

AMAWATERWAYS

This company features river cruises in Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia, and Africa. River vessels include the AmaBella, AmaCello, AmaCerto, AmaDagio, AmaDante, AmaDolce, AmaLegro, AmaLyra, AmaPrima, AmaReina, AmaSonata, AmaVerde and AmaVida in Europe; AmaKaterina in Russia; AmaLotus and La Marguerite in Vietnam and Cambodia; and Zambezi Queen in Africa. In 2014 the company will introduce two new ships, AmaSonata and AmaReina, in Europe and the AmaPura in Myanmar (Burma). Call 800-626-0126 or visit www.amawaterways.com.

AMERICAN CRUISE LINES

This company offers river and small-ship cruises in the U.S. — including sailings in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, Northeast U.S., Southeast U.S., Mississippi River — and theme cruises. It features cruises on two paddlewheel boats, Queen of the Mississippi and Queen of the West, and four small ships, the Independence, American Star, American Spirit and American Glory. Call 800-460-4518 or visit www.americancruiselines.com.

AMERICAN QUEEN STEAMBOAT COMPANY

This operator of paddlewheel steamboats features cruises on the Upper Mississippi, Lower Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee rivers on the 436-passenger American Queen. This year, it adds the 223-passenger American Empress between Portland, Oregon, and Clarkston, Wash. Call 888-749-5280 or visit www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com

AQUA EXPEDITIONS

Originally focused on the Amazon, Aqua Expeditions currently has two ships under 40 passengers that operate cruises on this river — the Aqua Amazon and Aria Amazon. The company, however, plans to start Mekong River cruises in Vietnam and Cambodia on the new Aqua Mekong starting in August. Call 866-603-6387 or visit www.aquaexpeditions.com.

A-ROSA RIVER CRUISES

This European river cruise company based in Rostock, Germany, operates 10 river cruise ships on the Rhine, Danube and Rhône/Saône rivers. In April it will introduce the new 158-passenger A-ROSA Flora, which will be marketed to U.S. travelers. In the U.S., A-ROSA is represented by David Morris International. Call 855-55-AROSA or visit www.arosacruises.com.

AVALON WATERWAYS

Part of the Globus Family of Brands, Avalon Waterways features river and small-ship cruises in Europe, North America, Asia, Egypt and the Galapagos. This year, it will introduce three new “Suite Ships” — the 166-passenger Avalon Illumination and Avalon Impression, and the 128-guest Avalon Poetry II. Call 877-797-8791 or visit www.avalonwaterways.com.

BLOUNT SMALL SHIP ADVENTURES

Offering voyages along North America’s historic waterways, this small-ship company also operates in Central America and the Caribbean aboard two 88-passenger yacht-style vessels. Call 800-556-7450 or visit www.blountsmallshipadventures.com.

CENTURY CRUISES

Based in China, Century Cruises is a small-river-ship company that offers Yangtze River cruises on its fleet of seven ships, all built after 2003. Two ships, the Century Paragon and Century Legend, both entered service in 2013. Century Cruises states that it offers five-star onboard service and amenities that include private balconies in all cabins. Call 011-86-23-62948994 or visit www.centuryrivercruises.com.

COMPAGNIE DU PONANT

This French company offers small-ship, ocean-going cruises with a decidedly French experience and itineraries that are off-the-beaten-path and port intensive aboard Le Boréal, Le Ponant (a three-masted sailing yacht), L’Austral and Le Soléal, which entered service in 2013. Call 888-400-1082 or visit www.ponant.us.

CROISIEUROPE

Although it’s been around for 37 years and operates throughout Europe, the Holy Land and Southeast Asia, this river cruise company has recently started marketing to U.S. travel agents. For more information, call 800-768-7232 or visit www.croisieuroperivercruises.com.

EMERALD WATERWAYS

A sister to Scenic Cruises, this new company plans to start offering European river cruises at affordable prices in 2014. It will operate two 182-passenger vessels. Call 888-778-6689 or visit http://us.emeraldwaterways.com.

EUROPEAN WATERWAYS

This U.K.-based company operates 16 deluxe barges that cruise along canals and rivers throughout France, as well as in the U.K., Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands. Call 877-879-8808 or visit www.gobarging.com.

FRENCH COUNTRY WATERWAYS

An American-owned company, French Country Waterways offers cruises along the canals and waterways of France aboard four luxury hotel barges through Burgundy, the Loire, Alsace-Lorraine and Champagne. Call 800-222-1236 or visit www.fcwl.com.

HURTIGRUTEN

This Norwegian cruise line offers year-round cruises aboard its fleet of seven ships along the coast of Norway and through its fjords, as well as deluxe expeditions to Greenland, Antarctica and the Arctic (Spitsbergen). Call 866-552-0371 or visit www.hurtigruten.us.

IMPERIAL RIVER CRUISES

This company operates river cruises in Russia and Ukraine, as well as a North Pole Expedition in the Russian Arctic, aboard more than a dozen vessels. Call 800-555-0678 or visit www.imperialrivercruises.com.

ISLAND WINDJAMMERS

Casual Caribbean sailings are the focus of this small-ship company. They include six-night cruises from St. George’s, Grenada, aboard the 12-passenger Diamant, and from Phillipsburg, St. Maarten, aboard the 24-passenger Sagitta. Extended and specialty-theme cruises are available on both ships. Call 877-772-4549 or visit www.islandwindjammers.com.

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS

This expedition, education-oriented company works in partnership with National Geographic. It owns six ships carrying no more than 148 passengers and charters four ships for seasonal voyages in Southeast Asia, the Amazon, Scotland, the Caribbean and Europe. Call 800-397-3348 or visit www.expeditions.com.

ORIENT-EXPRESS

Orient-Express, which largely focuses on luxury hotels and trains, also offers a luxury river cruise in Myanmar (Burma) aboard the Road to Mandalay, which sails the Irrawaddy River. A second, larger river cruiser called the Orcaella was launched in 2013. Call 800-524-2420 or visit www.orient-express.com.

ORION EXPEDITION CRUISES

This Australian company sails on luxury expedition cruises aboard the purpose-built 106-passenger Orion. Expeditions include Melanesia, Papua New Guinea, the shores of Western Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands. Call 877-674-6687 or visit www.orionexpeditions.com.

PANDAW RIVER CRUISES

Pandaw’s vessels explore the rivers of Myanmar (Burma) and Southeast Asia aboard 10 replicas of colonial river steamers. Three new vessels are expected to enter service this year. Email information@pandaw.com or visit www.pandaw.com.

PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES

This company operates cruises in Tahiti, French Polynesia and the South Pacific aboard the 332-passenger Paul Gauguin and in the Caribbean, Europe and Central America on the 90-passenger Tere Moana. Call 800-848-6172 or visit www.pgcruises.com.

PEARL SEAS CRUISES

A sister to American Cruise Lines, this new company will begin operating in June with the newly built 210-passenger Pearl Mist. The six-deck ship will have 108 extremely spacious staterooms and suites of 300 to 580 square feet, many with private balconies. The inaugural cruise is scheduled to depart June 25, sailing from Baltimore to Halifax. Itineraries include seven-, 10- and 11-night cruises to the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway, Canadian Maritimes, and New England. (Caribbean cruises will be offered in 2015, the company says.) Call 800-981-9146 or visit www.pearlseascruises.com.

QUARK EXPEDITIONS

Specializing in polar adventure travel, Quark Expeditions uses a fleet of specially equipped vessels to provide travelers with access to some of the most remote regions on earth. Its fleet includes the nuclear-powered icebreaker Victory. Call 888-892-0334 or visit www.quarkexpeditions.com.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

This luxury cruise line operates three ships that accommodate 490 or 700 guests. Last year, it announced a newbuild order for a 738-passenger vessel, Seven Seas Explorer, to be delivered in summer 2016. Call 844-473-4368 or visit www.rssc.com.

SCENIC TOURS

This company offers river cruises in Europe and Russia on 10 vessels, including the new Scenic Jade and Scenic Gem. Call 866-689-8611 or visit www.us.scenictours.com.

SEABOURN CRUISE LINE

Seabourn’s small luxury liners sail on itineraries worldwide. Seabourn offers all-suite accommodations and all-inclusive onboard service. Its fleet will shrink to five when the 212-passenger Seabourn Pride moves to Windstar Cruises as the Star Pride in May. Its sister ships, the Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend, will follow in 2015. Seabourn continues to operate its newer vessels, the 450-passenger Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest, and is building a fourth similar ship. Call 866-755-5619 or visit www.seabourn.com.

SEADREAM YACHT CLUB

SeaDream offers luxury mega-yacht cruises on the 100-passenger SeaDream I and SeaDream II, which sail seven-day excursions in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Costa Rica, Amazon, Asia, Australia and Northern Europe. Call 800-707-4911 or visit www.seadream.com.

SILVERSEA CRUISES

This luxury line offers intimate, all-suite ships with an atmosphere of casual elegance on cruises in the Mediterranean and Caribbean and to worldwide destinations. Ships include Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit. Silversea also features expedition cruises aboard the Silver Explorer, Silver Galapagos and, starting in April, the Silver Discoverer. Call 877-276-6816 or visit www.silversea.com.

STAR CLIPPERS

Miami-based Star Clippers offers voyages to the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Baltic Sea and Costa Rica aboard the sailing vessels Royal Clipper, Star Clipper and Star Flyer. Call 800-442-0551 or visit www.starclippers.com.

SWAN HELLENIC DISCOVERY CRUISING

This British-based company features oceangoing cruises to India, the Far East, the Black Sea and Mediterranean, British Isles, Caribbean and South America on the 350-passenger Minerva. Call 011-44-(0)844-871-4603 or visit www.swanhellenic.com.

TAUCK

Well known for its tour offerings, Tauck also has an extensive product focus on small-ship and river cruises, including its own branded line of river cruise ships in Europe. Tauck offers cruises of the Rhine, Danube, Main, Rhône and Moselle rivers aboard the Swiss Sapphire, Swiss Jewel and Treasures. In 2014 it will add two 130-passenger river ships, the Savor and Inspire. Tauck also offers river cruises of the Nile and the Yangtze. Small-ship cruises using Compagnie du Ponant ships and other vessels in the Mediterranean, Baltic, Iceland, Antarctica, Panama Canal and Costa Rica, and Peru and the Galapagos. Call 800-788-7885 or visit www.tauck.com.

UN-CRUISE ADVENTURES

This company operates eight boats carrying 22 to 88 guests in Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, the Columbia and Snake rivers and coastal Washington and British Columbia. Call 888-862-8881 or visit www.un-cruise.com.

UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVERCRUISE COLLECTION

Uniworld features river cruises in Europe, Russia, Egypt, China and Southeast Asia. This year, the company will introduce the 159-passenger S.S. Catherine in France, as well as the new all-inclusive format that includes all beverages, transfers, gratuities and shore excursions. Call 800-733-7820 or visit www.uniworld.com.

VARIETY CRUISES

This Greek-owned company sails 11 yachts and small ships, varying in size from four to 36 cabins, to Greece and the Greek Islands, Costa Rica and Panama, Cuba, Italy and Malta, the South of France and the Seychelles. Call 800-319-7776 or visit www.varietycruises.com.

VICTORIA CRUISES

This company specializes in itineraries along China’s Yangtze River between Shanghai and Beijing aboard a fleet of seven ships. Call 800-348-8084 or visit www.victoriacruises.com.

VIKING CRUISES

Viking offers cruises along the rivers of Europe, Russia, Ukraine, China, Southeast Asia and Egypt. This year, Viking will debut no fewer than 14 new Viking Longships in Europe, as well as a new vessel in Myanmar. Its new sister company, Viking Ocean Cruises, has started marketing its first ship, the 930-passenger Viking Star, which is scheduled to enter service in early 2015. Call 855-338-4546 or visit www.vikingcruises.com.

VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY

This company operates cruises worldwide on the 540-passenger Voyager. Starting in May, gratuities will be included in the fares. Call 866-623-2689 or visit www.voyagesofdiscovery.com.

VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY

Inspired by “The Middle Sea,” a history of the Mediterranean written by Lord John Julius Norwich, Voyages to Antiquity offers destination immersion and educational experiences during cruises aboard its 570-passenger Aegean Odyssey in the Mediterranean, as well as India and the Far East. Call 877-398-1460 or visit www.us.voyagestoantiquity.com.

WINDSTAR CRUISES

Seattle-based Windstar operates three sailing vessels, the 148-passenger Wind Star and Wind Spirit and the 310-guest Wind Surf, on cruises calling at 100 ports throughout Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas. In May it plans to begin operating the 212-guest Star Pride, the former Seabourn Pride, cruising in the Mediterranean and Asia. Call 800-258-7245 or visit www.windstarcruises.com